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Syrian Refugee Brides Advertised on Facebook

Sat 24-05-2014

According to Al Arabiya, social media users are choosing to speak now on a Facebook page putting Syrian refugee women up for marriage.

The initial page, created under the name "Syrian refugees for marriage," displayed pictures of potential brides. It garnered more than 18, 000 likes in less than a week (as of May 16), before it was shut down.

"Across the Arab world, of all ages and religions, share this page!" the page said.

Millions of displaced Syrians have sought refuge in neighboring countries, mainly in Jordan, Lebanon, Turkey and Iraq due to the ongoing civil war.

Meanwhile, numerous reports have been released about Syrian women being exploited into marriage with Arab men.

According to the pan-Arab daily al-Hayat, the page was shut down and another one was created under the same name, but with a modified theme.

A new page was created under the same name but with a cover photo including a Quranic verse.

The creators of the new page changed the cover photo to a Quranic verse, and added a religious tone to their posts to defend what they claimed were marriages permissible by Islam.

Many social media users expressed their anger at the page’s aim.

"We are indeed living in a sick world," said Twitter user Anjum Anwar.

"Now on Facebook: Syrian refugee brides for sale. Even if page gets taken down, this is what is happening," said another user.